Norway's Edvald Boasson Hagen won the 19th stage of Tour de France cycle race while Britain Chris Froome edged closer to overall victory.

Boasson Hagen was part of a 20-man breakaway but made a winning solo bid inside the final 3 kilometer as Nikias Arndt came second and Jens Keukeleire third.

Edvald Boasson covered the 222.5 kilometer distance in five hours six minutes and nine seconds.

Briton Froome kept hold of the race leader's yellow jersey ahead of Saturday's decisive time-trial in Marseille after a leisurely stroll in the saddle for the peloton.

Frenchman Romain Bardet remains second at 23 seconds with Rigoberto Uran of Colombia third at 29 seconds.